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Tag Archives: home decor

My ideal craft is one that takes an episode of TV to watch. It’s usually something small and charming that brightens up a room or something unique that draws the eye. A big necessity to being a craft blogger with a full-time job is that I can’t spend a lot of time building or constructing things. It has to be something that helps me unwind. I need to be able to partially zone out as I watch TV and get my mind off of the stress of the work day.

I still hope to one day build my own chair, coffee table, kitchen table and/or other piece of large furniture. But right now those types of projects aren’t conducive to my Brooklyn apartment and work schedule.

So instead I create pieces that are on the daintier side, like this small Thanksgiving centerpiece.

DIY Thanksgiving Centerpiece

From start to finish, the whole craft took about as long as an episode of New Girl. That show is so good. It cracks me up.

I’ve put off posting this particular bit of information because, well, I couldn’t tell if it actually fit in my blog. I kept going back wondering if this was weird or useful. I don’t know why I had such anxiety about posting a way to store stockings and pantyhose, but here I am, a full year after I’ve taken the photos and implemented this organizational strategy.

Earlier this month, I removed my winter gear from where it was hiding under the bed and in the closets. This process included completing the frustrating task of untangling my winter hosiery and checking for holes and buying replacements. Last winter was rough and the holes were victorious.

Normally, at this point, I just stuff the tights in my sock drawer and deal with them tangling and catching on each other. But now I’ve started storing them in empty Talenti gelato jars and it has been wonderful.

First, I get to eat some amazing gelato. I love that stuff. Second, I can sort the jars by color. I like to stick the blacks in one jar and the pinks/nudes in another. Then have a rainbow jar. You can write the name of the color on top of the jar and you know exactly where your tights are.

If you roll the tights up, a single jar can usually fit four pairs of lighter tights or three pairs of thicker tights.

So what do you think? Do you think you’d give this a try? Would you decorate your jar? I’ve been tempted, but haven’t gotten around to it. It seems like a fun way to use some jewel stones and brighten up your sock drawer.

With everything that’s going on these days, I’m determined to keep the project time on crafts down to a minimum, or else I’ll have a bunch of half-finished crafts hanging around.

This star-studded pumpkin took just a few minutes to make! You can customize it any way you like, and as added bonus, it was practically free to make. The foam pumpkin was left over from last year (but originally $1 from a dollar store). The spray paint was left over from this project. And the brads were free at a craft swap!

It was so refreshing to be able to wrap up a cute craft knowing I didn’t spend an entire afternoon and $50 on it, because we all know that can certainly happen.

Happy long, well-deserved, much-needed weekend! Are you traveling? We’re staying at home (we’re such homebodies!) and spending some quality time with friends. I plan on drinking wine we picked up from a vineyard upstate. It feels like fall and I’m looking forward to spending time outside while it’s not too cold – so you can find me in my backyard and on my best friend’s roof. I’m also going to buy some new running shoes, play board games, and take a hike in central park. I guess it sounds boring, but I’m excited for all of it.

Also, Ryan and I finished our first week where we’re both working from home. I have traditionally worked from home, but now he’s staying at home as well. We didn’t drive each other crazy, yet, but it definitely feels cramped. We’re on a mission to turn some more areas in our house into office space and I am inspired by this beautiful co-working space.

The past few months have been nothing short of chaotic, and it’s been a while since I’ve had time to finish a craft. Deadlines and to do lists take priority over “create” these days. And despite all of this, I couldn’t get past the nagging feeling that I need to complete something that: 1. I’ve made with my hands and 2. Is beautiful.

I saw this deer string art months ago on this blog and went out immediately to buy the supplies. Since then, I’ve taken my sweet time hammering in a few nails here and there, but never really committing to complete the project. Then yesterday, something just snapped and I knew I couldn’t do anything else without finishing it. So, I spent an hour or so hammering away (pun intended). I’m so glad I did! It is probably my favorite d.i.y. project I’ve made.

I used this silhouette for the deer stencil. You can enlarge it to the size you want and then print it out. Or in my case, I just held a sheet of paper against the computer screen and traced it.

Coat the wood plaque with two coats of chalkboard paint. Let it set overnight to dry.

Place your pattern in the center of the plaque. You can add a piece of tape to secure it.

Take your nails and hammer them into the plaque along the edge of your silhouette. I found it was easiest to make them a thumbs-width apart. This makes it easier to hold the nails anyway. To create the fine edges around the antlers, you’ll have to place the nails closer together.

Once they’re all nailed in, remove the paper stencil and tie the ends of the embroidery floss around a nail. Wrap your embroidery floss around the edges until you’ve outlined the entire thing. Then continue to fill in the middle, hooking the floss around opposing nails.

Once you’ve filled in the center, tie off the string on a nail. That’s it, you’re done. The nailing can be tedious, but it’s well worth it.

I just love the way this looks. It turned out way better than I expected. i wasn’t sure if I was on board with the string art craze, but now I’m sold. What do you think?

I’ve moved three times in the past month, which isn’t so uncommon for the someone’s first month in New York. Currently, I’m renting a room for two months while I wait my friend’s lease to finish then we’ll be getting a place together. All of this moving around is partially why I haven’t been posting as much.

Needless to say, I’m ready to have a place of my own. And I can pretty much dream-decorate it with everything from Target’s Threshold line. Here are my picks.

Ok. So I’d rather not be known as one of those people who are obsessed with cephalopods. But let’s face it – I am. And it’s time to stop denying it, because I’m dying to get my hands on these pillows from Hudson.

How simple and adorable. It’s also in white.

The Seahorses are also super cute.

There’s also a starfish.

I really could go on and on. All of their pillows are beautiful, as is the rest of their furniture. Here’s one more with some color.

They’re having a sale right now. But that’s probably not going to help much. These beauties are priced at $185. ouch.

Lately, I have been obsessed with Lampe Berger items. Pleasant household scents are important, especially when you cook curry, have a cat, and don’t have a washing machine. I’m guilty of all three. And I hear Lampe Berger isn’t as thick or syrupy scented as the air fresheners you can buy at a store. Candles are a nicer and cheaper option, but I only really light them in the winter. Also, my cat has been known to catch his tail on fire, poor thing (he’s fine).

What I’m most interested in is the scents. Anything in their Oriental Dreams collection seems dreamy and cozy. I’ve been eying the Winterwood scent the most. Also, these things have history. Lampe Berger patents began in 1897.

Sorry for the lack of posts. I initially thought I’d have a camera by now, but that will have to wait until next payday. Also, I thought the blog would have been redesigned. But that also takes funds and free time.

I’ve been eying etsy for a while looking for inspiration. I love terrariums. Here are a few of my picks.

As tempting as it is to just purchase one of these beauties. I plan on making my own. I am recently the inheritor of 40 wooden-framed windows. Really, this is a crafting gold mine. Expect lots of cute things in the future (as soon as I get that camera).

welcome

Hi there! My name is Heidi. I live in Brooklyn, NY. I’m a hobbyist, adventurer, and struggling epicurean. I created this space to share beautiful things, tasty treats, easy crafts and any adventures I encounter along the way. I hope you’ll follow along. MORE